Investigating the Microbial Contamination of Unpackaged Cigarettes (Bulk) in Bandar Abbas City, Iran

Background: Cigarette contamination due to contact with contaminated hands is one of the problems of bulk cigarette distribution. This study was conducted to investigate the microbial contamination of unpackaged cigarettes in Bandar Abbas City, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among various distributors of bulk cigarettes (peddlers, stalls, and supermarkets) in Bandar Abbas City. Cigarette samples were dried, and the microbial quality of their filter was evaluated by Ultersnap U microbial load measuring device. To express the index of microbial contamination, based on the defined scale of the device, RLUs (relative light units) ≤10 indicate cleanliness, 11 to 29 denote the warning level, and ≥30 signify contamination. Results: Our results showed that 26.9% of cigarettes were sold by vendors, 65.4% by stalls, and 7.7% by supermarkets. The prevalence rates of microbial contamination in standard packaged and unpackaged (bulk) cigarettes were 2.3% and 46.2%, respectively. Among the examined samples, 17.3% were clean, 36.5% were contaminated at the warning level, and 46.2% were contaminated. The percentages of contaminated cigarettes sold by vendors, stalls, and supermarkets were 50%, 47.1%, and 25%, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study underscore microbial contamination as another side risk that can be transferred directly from the hands of the supplier to the mouth of the consumer. The intensity of contamination was different based on the place of supply (sales units). Therefore, more attention should be paid to the organization of distribution units of these products.